Opening Reflection for the National Bible Sunday
Rev. Fr. Bryan Ma. Eala, OSM

Recalling the importance given by the Second Vatican Council to rediscovering Sacred Scripture for the life of the Church, Pope Francis says he wrote this Apostolic Letter in response to requests from the faithful around the world to celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God. In the Motu proprio (literally, “of his own initiative”) “Aperuit illis”, Pope Francis declares that “the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God”.

In the Philippines January is national bible month. This celebration is state-sanctioned and has legal basis. (1) Proclamation No. 44 (1986), Aquino : Last week of January as National Bible Week (2) Proclamation No. 1067 (1997), Ramos : Last week of January as National Bible Week (3) Proclamation No. 124 (2017), Duterte : The whole month of January as National Bible Month. The Philippine government recognizes that: “history bears witness to the profound impact of the Word of God on the life of nations, and to how it has moved and inspired many people, including statesmen and social reformers, to work for the betterment of their fellow human beings even at great cost to themselves” and that “it is fitting and proper, for the molding of the spiritual, moral, and social fiber of our citizenry, that national attention be focused on the importance of reading and studying the WORD of GOD.”

The Bible is truly the Word of God, because through it God communicates Himself and His saving plan to humanity. It INFORMS us about who God is and how He acts in history for our salvation, revealing His love, mercy, and faithfulness from creation to redemption in Christ. At the same time, Sacred Scripture EXPRESSES God’s self-revelation, showing not only what God does, but who He is—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—inviting us into a relationship with Him. Finally, the Word of God SUMMONS every person to respond. It calls us to faith, conversion, and obedience, urging us not only to listen but to live according to God’s will. Thus, the Bible is not merely to be read or studied, but to be welcomed as God’s living voice that guides, challenges, and transforms our lives.

JESUS, THE LIGHT

In the Gospel we hear today, the Lord Jesus is presented by St. Matthew as the light which the prophet Isaiah has foretold. Ang Liwanag na ito, na ang Panginoon nga, ay siyang papawi sa kadiliman ng kasalanan at magliligtas sa mga taong magsisisi at magbabalik-loob sa Diyos. The Light himself invites everyone to repent sapagkat malapit na ang kaharian ng Diyos. Ang sinomang taong makasumpong ng Liwanag ay magagalak at matutuwa. It is because God is the One who initiates that man, who is in darkness, be drawn back to His light.

Christ’s invitation for everyone to repent is the same invitation for us. We need to recognize God’s initiative to show us the Light and follow Him. Ang pagbabalik-loob natin sa Diyos ay ang nararapat na tugon sa paanyaya Niya sa atin upang maging handa tayo sa darating na Kaharian ng Diyos. Gaya ng tugon ng mga unang alagad na tinawag ng Panginoon, kailangan rin nating iwanan ang lahat lalo na ang masasamang gawi at asal, at sumunod sa Liwanag upang ating marating ang kaluwathatian.

Let us pray to God for the gift of repentance and true conversion. Nawa ay kaawaan tayo ng Panginoon sa ating taos-pusong pagsisisi at pagbabalik-loob sa Kanya. Hayaan nawa nating maghari ang Panginoon sa ating mga buhay. Siya ang Liwanag na kailanman ay hindi madadaig ng kadiliman at ng kasalanan.

~ Fra. Ronel

LET HIM LEAD YOU THROUGH HIS WORD

Reading the Bible has completely changed my life. When I was lukewarm, I was living in confusion, doubts, and excessive worrying, but when I came back to faith, surrendered myself to God, and began reading the Bible, He changed my heart in ways I never knew were possible in an instant. To remain in His love is to be rooted in His Word. Reading the Scripture replaced my confusion and worries with a sense of stillness. As written in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; on your own intelligence do not rely” and in Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, My thoughts higher than your thoughts”, my heart leaned on the Lord’s goodness. My once doubtful heart has learned to trust its Creator and indeed, He has shown me that His plans are better than mine (Jeremiah 29:11), and I have seen my prayers unfold through surrender. Asking the Lord to speak to me through the sacred Scripture has kept me grounded and peaceful for the rest of the day. By praying to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, to enlighten my mind as I read the verses, I find strength, wisdom, and comfort in His Word, and most of all, I am always reminded of His divine love for mankind.

His Word has taught my heart to forgive, to be wise, to love our neighbor as we love Him, and to depend on Him. We talk to God through prayer, but He too speaks to us through His written Word—the Bible.

If you are in pain, doubt, or despair, open up your Bible. There, you will know God. There, you will encounter Him. There, He will reach you. Let Him heal you, transform you, and love you. Let Him lead you through His Word.

~ Judy

Originally published on the Neo Jeramiah Voice of the Young Prophet Newsletter (January 25, 2026 issue).